Meta partners with Sydney WorldPride 2023, and brings back the Mardi Gras Viewing Event Grants
Mia Garlick, Director of Public Policy for ANZ, Pacific Islands, Korea and Japan
Originally Published: 16 November 2022
Today we’re excited to announce that Meta Australia, will be a Major Partner for Sydney WorldPride and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras for 2023. To mark the occasion, we’re bringing back the Sydney WorldPride and Mardi Gras Parade Viewing Event Grants, to support local businesses and unlock economic opportunities for LGBTQ+ artists and entertainers.
Grants of up to $3,350 will be awarded to venues around Australia that demonstrate the ability to host a COVID-safe event for the Official Sydney WorldPride Live & Proud: Opening Ceremony or Mardi Gras Parade Viewing Event for the 2023 festival. Applications are now open until the 4th of December, and you find out more details and apply here.
The impact of the program over the last two years reached far beyond the businesses themselves and showed how important it was for Meta to bring back the grants program. This year, the program generated nearly $400,000 in revenue across 29 venues, which attracted over 6,500 attendees. Not only did these help local businesses, but it unlocked employment opportunities for over 260 staff, who were employed to run the Mardi Gras Parade viewing events, and over 200 performers and artists who secured work thanks to these events.
Everyday the LGBTQ+ community come to our platforms to create connections, share support and adapt their businesses. Since 2016, we’ve been a major partner with Mardi Gras and we’re incredibly excited to celebrate with the LGBTQ+ community from all around the world next year. WorldPride presents an incredible opportunity to celebrate queer culture, and for local businesses and communities to thrive in one of the biggest events since the Sydney Olympics. The Sydney WorldPride and Mardi Gras Parade Viewing Event Grants are just one of the ways we are supporting the LGBTQ+ community next year, and we are excited to announce more initiatives soon.
